Your pet door has two major parts: the frame and the flap. The frame sits in the cutout and may overlap with your door, sitting on top of it. The frame has two parts, the inside part and the outside part, that fit together to hold the flap in place. The flap is the part that covers the cut-out hole in the door. This is the part your pet goes through to use the door.

Please note that all measurements are approximate and prone to user error, so don’t worry if you measure your door and your measurements aren’t exactly the same as the dimensions given online or in your manual. Your door’s dimensions will also change over time; doors expand and contract, and flaps may shrink or warp.

Outer Frame: The outer measurements of the door’s frame.

Flap Opening: The measurement of the part of the door your pet goes through. This is not the measurement of the flap itself, but the space your pet has to go into. This is measured using the interior door frame.

Flap Size: The overall measurements of the door flap.

Cut-out Size: The hole you cut in your door to install the door. After installation, you can get this measurement again by taking the pet door out.

Framing out refers to using additional pieces of wood to install screws when installing the pet door into a wall or door panel. It's a useful technique when replacing an old pet door with a slightly smaller door.

PetSafe Door Dimensions

The Cut Out dimensions are furnished for your information. Always use the Pet Door cutting template included in the package before cutting an opening in your door or wall. Radio Systems Corporation shall not be liable for any personal injuries or property damage as a result of not using the proper Pet Door template when installing a Pet Door.

It can be difficult to find a pet door that will match your old one exactly. First, you'll need to measure the cutout hole in your door. Note that this is the cutout in the door, not the pet door frame. Next, pick a door that is closest in measurement. You can find the dimensions for our pet doors in this chart.

You might need to cut the hole in your door a little bigger to accommodate a slightly larger new door. To replace it with a slightly smaller door instead, add additional pieces of wood to the inside of the hole.

Installation & Setup

These are the general steps for installing your pet door in a standard exterior door. Please consult the manual and cutting template for your pet door for more specific instructions. Watch the installation video below.

Tools you might need

Jigsaw

Electric Drill

3/8" Drill Bit

Phillips Screwdriver

4 D-Cell Batteries (required)

Level

Tape

Pencil

String

Basic door installation steps

Trace the pet door outline using the cutting template

Remove the door from its hinges

Cut the hole in the door

Install the pet door frame and flap

In-depth door installation steps

Program door to recognize key

Measure and mark your pet's shoulder height on the door. Draw a straight vertical line through the center of the line.

Remove the door from its hinges and place it on a level surface.

Cut out the correct template size. Match the shoulder and center lines you marked to the ones on the template. Tape the template to the door and trace the outline. Remove the template.

Drill holes inside the corners. Use a jigsaw to cut out the hole, starting at one of the corners and following the lines.

Check the fit by placing the frame with the flap inside the cutout. If it doesn't fit, trim the opening until it fits. Hold the interior and exterior frames together with the flap in the cutout hole. Put screws in the holes and tighten until frames come together, but do not overtighten.

Hang the door back up and begin training your pet. Tape the flap open and coax your pet through the door until he becomes comfortable with using the pet door.

SmartDoor™ Conversion Kits are available for wall installation applications. The wall extension conversion kit frames out exposed areas, giving your door installation a clean, smooth, finished look. For brick, concrete, or block wall construction, an additional extension is available for the large conversion kit.
The Small Conversion Kit is designed to be recessed into the brick and does not require additional tunnel extensions.

Small Door

Measure & Cut Wall Access

Choose the location for your installation. Check the inside and outside to make sure your pet will be able to use the door. Check both indoors and outdoors for electrical wiring or pipes in the wall area. If necessary, cut a small hole in the wall to check for studs, wiring, and plumbing.

Find the edge of a stud with a stud finder. Using a pencil, draw a 5" vertical line on the edge of the stud about 10 - 12" above the floor.

Mark the shoulder height of your pet on the vertical line. Draw a horizontal line through your mark.

Cut the template to size (8 5/8" x 15 5/8"). Place the template against the wall. Align the shoulder height line on the template with the shoulder height line you drew on the wall. Align the edge of the template to the 5” vertical line. Make sure your template is placed on the edge of the stud, not over the stud.

Carefully trace the template with a pencil. Remove the template from the wall.

Check the hole location to make sure the template is level and in the location you want.

Drill the 4 corners all the way through the inside and outer walls. Use a 5/16" drill bit. Use the framing square to keep the drill level and perpendicular to the wall.

Carefully cut the hole out using a jigsaw or other cutting device. Cut directly on the line you drew.

Using the Inside Frame A, check the fit. Don't force the frame in if the fit is too tight. If the hole is too small, simply remove the frame and re-cut or file the hole slightly to enlarge. Don't cut more than 1/8" from your previous cut.

Once the Inside Frame fits in the cut-out, adjust the frame so it's level and square.

Repeat the previous steps outside for the Outside Frame. Use the previously drilled holes as your corners. Check that your lines amatch vertically and horizontally. Measure frequently so you only need to cut once.

Install Supports

Measure from the inside of the outer wall to the inside of the inner wall.

Cut a block of 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" wood to a length of 6" - 8" long to create a support beam.

Remove any debris that may be inside the wall where the support will be located.

Place the support beam inside the wall so the top of the support is even with the bottom of the cut-outs.

Use 2 decking screws to attach the inner side of the support beam. Make sure the support beam is flush with the bottom of cut-outs.

Move outdoors. Use 2 decking screws to fasten the outer portion of the support beam. If you're placing screws into vinyl siding, you might need to drill a hole through the siding slightly larger than the heads of the screws. This will allow the screws to tighten flush with the plywood and not buckle the vinyl siding.

If needed, repeat the process with a vertical length of 2" x 4" or 2" x 6". This will be the vertical support you’ll fasten the edge of the frame into.

Attach the SmartDoor to the Wall Extension Frame A

Locate the Inside Frame A. It will have 6 screw cups along the outer edge.

Place the inside portion of your Electronic SmartDoor™ inside the frame.

Secure the SmartDoor™ to the Inside Frame A with a machine screw in each of the 4 corners. On the backside of the frame, add a lock washer, then tighten each of the 4 hex nuts.

Install the Assemblies into the Wall

Insert the SmartDoor™ assembly from Step 3 into the inside wall. Make sure the frame is flush with the wall and level vertically and horizontally.

Locate the Outside Frame B for outdoor placement. It will have 8 screw cups along the outer edge. It's helpful to have someone insert Outside Frame B from outdoors. Make sure the frame is flush with the wall and level vertically and horizontally.

Beginning inside, install the 6 Phillips head wood screws and washers through Inside Frame A into your wall and the 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" support you installed earlier. Avoid over tightening the screws.

Moving outside, install the 8 Phillips head wood screws and washers through Outside Frame B into wall and into the 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" support you installed earlier. Avoid over tightening the screws.

Use window caulking to fill in any seams and gaps in your installation.

Choose the location for your installation. Check the inside and outside to make sure your pet will be able to use the door. Check both indoors and outdoors for electrical wiring or pipes in the wall area. If necessary, cut a small hole in the wall to check for studs, wiring, and plumbing.

Find the edge of a stud with a stud finder. Using a pencil, draw a 5" vertical line on the edge of the stud about 10 - 12" above the floor.

Mark the shoulder height of your pet on the vertical line. Draw a horizontal line through your mark.

Cut the template to size (8 5/8" x 15 5/8"). Place the template against the wall. Align the shoulder height line on the template with the shoulder height line you drew on the wall. Align the edge of the template to the 5” vertical line. Make sure your template is placed on the edge of the stud, not over the stud.

Carefully trace the template with a pencil. Remove the template from the wall.

Check the hole location to make sure the template is level and in the location you want. Keep in mind you are cutting
a hole from the inside edge of one stud to the inside edge
of its neighboring stud. In common framing, this space
should measure about 14 1
/2”.

Drill the 4 corners all the way through the inside and outer walls. Use a 5/16" drill bit. Use the framing square to keep the drill level and perpendicular to the wall.

Carefully cut the hole out using a jigsaw or other cutting device. Cut directly on the line you drew.

Repeat the previous steps outside for the Outside Frame. Use the previously drilled holes as your corners. Check that your lines amatch vertically and horizontally. Measure frequently so you only need to cut once.

Install Supports

Measure from the inside of the outer wall to the inside of the inner wall.

Cut a block of 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" wood to a length of 6" - 8" long to create a support beam.

Remove any debris that may be inside the wall where the support will be located.

Place the support beam inside the wall so the top of the support is even with the bottom of the cut-outs.

Use 2 decking screws to attach the inner side of the support beam. Make sure the support beam is flush with the bottom of cut-outs.

Move outdoors. Use 2 decking screws to fasten the outer portion of the support beam. If you're placing screws into vinyl siding, you might need to drill a hole through the siding slightly larger than the heads of the screws. This will allow the screws to tighten flush with the plywood and not buckle the vinyl siding.

Attach the SmartDoor to the Wall Extension Tunnel

Place the SmartDoor in the lip of the Tunnel Extension.

Tape the Tunnel Extension to the SmartDoor. The rear door frame of the SmartDoor won't be used in the wall installation.

Install the Assemblies into the Wall

From outside, place the Outside Frame in the wall. Make sure the frame is level vertically and horizontally before installing any screws.

It's helpful to have someone hold Outside Frame B in place while you
work indoors.

Insert the SmartDoor and Tunnel Extension assembly from inside the home. Make sure the frame is flush with the wall and level vertically and horizontally before installing any screws.

Beginning indoors, install the 6 Phillips head wood
screws through the SmartDoor into the wall, and
into the 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" support beam installed earlier.
Avoid over tightening the screws.

Moving outdoors, drill holes and install 4 Phillips
head wood screws, one in each corner of the outside
frame. These screws should pass through the frame,
the wall, and fasten into the framing studs on either
side of the framed tunnel. Avoid over tightening the screws.

Use window caulking to fill in any seams and gaps in your installation.

Training

Most pets will learn to use the door with a few short training sessions. However, some pets can take a little longer to become comfortable and more confident using the door. The most important rule is to be patient with your pet. Let your pet work out for himself that he can go through the pet door. With a little patience and training, you and your pet will soon enjoy the freedom your new pet door provides.

Helpful Tip: Try treats or toys to encourage your pet to go through the pet door.

Lift and hold or tape the flap open using string to help your pet become familiar with the pet door opening. MAKE SURE TAPED FLAP IS SECURE AND WILL NOT FALL DURING TRAINING.

Try to encourage your pet to come through the pet door. DO NOT FORCE your pet through the door or they may become frightened.

Give your pet motivation to use the door, such as to reach food. First, feed your pet close to the pet door on the inside. Once your pet is comfortable approaching the door, move food to the other side to try to get your pet to go through the door.

After your pet has used the pet door a few times, hold the flaps open and try to get your pet to go through door while gently lowering flaps so the flap touches your pet’s back. This will help your pet become familiar with the flap.

Troubleshooting

Make sure that only one key was programmed at a time if you are using multiple keys with the door.

Turn the range knob up as far as possible clockwise.

Make sure the SmartKey contains the correct battery (an RFA-67) and that it is fully charged.

Make sure the batteries in the SmartDoor are fresh and properly installed.

Take the key out of range for more than 10 seconds, and retry.

If the condition persists, check that there are no radio-frequency transmitting devices or electronic devices that radiate electrical energy, which may interfere with the operation of the electronic SmartDoor.

The SmartDoor will not relock while a key is in range. Check to see if your pets without keys are getting out while a key is near the door. Also, turn the range knob down so the door will unlock later and relock sooner.